Related pages
Introduction
The unit of structure when reading the prophets is the oracle. This is a message from the prophet which stands alone, with distinct content and meaning, similar to a paragraph. There are a number of different types of oracle used by the prophets.
Many of the examples listed below are from the Book of Amos.
1a. Verbal message predicting judgement (2 Kg 1:3-4)
This was frequently used orally by the earlier prophets, such as Samuel (1 Sam 15), Nathan (2 Sam 12) and Elijah (1 Kg 17) who entered royal throne room to announce God's words to the king.
The setting is similar to a speech by a political messenger, when a king sent his messenger or ambassador to a foreign court with a message. The messenger delivered the exact words of the king, then explained the message. God was sending his messenger, the prophet, to the king's court because the king had broken the covenant between God and his people. Kings often tried to live above the law, in accountability to no-one. Only God could institute a legal process against the king.
A. Commissioning
"But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Get up, go to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them ...'" (v3)
B. Accusation
The accusation often takes the form of a question? Why have you done this?
"Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?"
C. Messenger formula
"Now therefore thus says the Lord" (v4)
D. Announcement of judgement
The prophet announces what is going to happen. A catastrophe is coming in the near future. Reasons for the judgement are given, often in the third person, as well as concrete examples of the crimes that have been committed.
"You shall not leave the bed to which you have gone, but you shall surely die.” (v4)
1b. Written announcement of judgement (Amos 7:16-17)
This is similar to the verbal word of judgement, but forms part of the written words of the prophets.
A. Commissioning (omitted)
B. Accusation (to Amaziah, priest of Bethel).
The summons to listen and hear what God is saying.
"Now therefore hear the word of the Lord, 'You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac''". (v16)
C. Messenger formula
"Therefore thus says the Lord," (v17)
D. Announcement of judgement
"Your wife shall become a prostitute in the city and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be parcelled out by line; you yourself shall die in an unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile far away from its land.” (v17-18)
Judgement is often predicted for ignoring God's work in the past (2:9-16). Previous works of God are listed, often the Exodus and time in the wilderness (v9,10,11), followed by their negative response (v12), and the announcement of judgement (v13-16).
2. Lawsuit (rib) (Amos 3:9-11)
The lawsuit or rib (pronounced 'reeve') has the setting of the law-court, in which Israel or Judah are accused in a court-room scene, where witnesses are called, an accusation is made, before judgement is pronounced.
A. Call of witnesses (foreign nations)
"Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod, ... and say, 'Assemble yourselves on Mount Samaria, and see what great tumults are within it ..." (v9)
B. Accusation: What they have done wrong
"They do not know how to do right, says the Lord, those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds." (v10)
C. Announcement of judgement
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: An adversary shall surround the land, and strip you of your defence; and your strongholds will be plundered." (v11)
3. Woe oracle (Amos 6:4-7)
A woe oracle is a form of an oracle of judgement. They normally begin with an exclamation of dismay, such as 'Woe' or 'Alas'. A woe pronounced by God is effectively a death sentence.
A. Exclamation of dismay
"Alas for those ..." (v4a)
B. Description of wrong action
"... who lie on beds of ivory and lounge on couches...
... who drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph" (v4b-6)
C. Results of woeful behaviour
"Therefore they shall be the first to go in to exile, and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away." (v7)
4. Lamentation (Amos 5:1-3)
This is lament following the judgement, often highly emotional, as God grieves over having reluctantly to judge his beloved people.
"Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel: Fallen, no more to rise, is maiden Israel; forsaken on her land, with no one to raise her up."
5. Call to repentance (Amos 5:4-7, 14-15)
This is a direct call for the people to repent, often accompanied with promises, accusations and threats. The weakness and ineffectiveness of the alternatives is often stated.
A. Messenger formula
"For thus says the LORD to the people of Israel ..." (v4a)
B. Appeal to repent
"Seek me and live, but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal ..." (v4b-5a)
C. Reasons
"for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing." (v5b)
6. Oracle of Salvation (Amos 9:11-15)
These are promises of future blessings for the faithful remnant who repent and remain faithful to God and his covenant. They are often introduced with words such as, 'On that day', or 'The time is surely coming ...'.
Salvation is described using imagery indicating a reversal of the current situation. The exile is likened to a desert, while restoration is the blossoming of the land. There will be a second exodus from exile, greater than the exile from Egypt. It describes a great future for Israel being a blessing to the nations, often mentioning the great figures of the past, including Abraham, Moses of David. The people of God are often described as those with the correct internal attitudes. There is an exodus from exile, but more importantly there will be an exodus from sin and rebellion, achieved by the coming Messiah. Fulfilment is often a process with the restoration to the land foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah, and the end of the world.
7. Oracles to foreign nations (Amos 1-2)
Oracles pronouncing judgement on foreign nations form major sections of several books of the prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. They were normally pronouncing judgement on Israel's enemies, often because of the way they treated other nations. It is doubtful whether there were actually heard by the foreign nations. However judgement on Israel's enemies is good news for Israel.
Other literary techniques
1. Rhetorical Questions (Amos 6:12, 3:3-8)
Questions are often asked showing how illogical the behaviour of the people has been. These often refer to the natural world, or to every-day life.
A. The questions
"Do horses run on rocks? Does one plough the sea with oxen?" (v12a)
B. The application or contrast
"But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood ..." (v12b)
2. Sarcasm on idolatry
The prophets often use extremely strong sarcasm to poke fun at the uselessness and idiocy of practising idolatry, or half-hearted worship of God, when compared with the advantages of trusting in the One True God.
"Come to Bethel - and transgress; to Gilgal - and multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days; bring a thank offering of leavened bread, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel." (Amos 4:4-5).
3. Visions
In narrative sections, the prophet often describes visions given by God, or other spiritual experiences.
The vision is described (7:7), followed by an explanation and application (7:8-9).
Related pages